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Burying utility cables underground is a method used for power, TV, and phone signals. It protects from wind damage but can be more susceptible to flood damage. Direct burial is the least expensive method, while deep bore tunnels are more expensive. Underground cables are more expensive to install than above ground cables and have a greater effect on the environment.
Burying is a method of burying utility cables underground rather than running them up overhead poles. It is often used for cables that deliver electrical power, cable television, and telephone signals. Burying protects cables from wind damage, but can make them more susceptible to flood damage. It tends to be more expensive than installing the utility cables themselves above ground. While burial prevents the visual clutter of cables, it can have a greater effect on the environment than above-ground cables.
There are several methods for installing underground cables. The most commonly used are direct burial and deep cut tunnels. To route buried cables, a trench approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) wide and 4 feet (1.2 m) deep should be dug. The cable is inserted into the trench and surrounded by compacted sand embedded in the concrete. This is the least expensive method of burial.
To install cables in deep bore tunnels, tunnels must be excavated at least 80 feet (about 24 m) below the surface of the earth. Bolted segments line the walls of the tunnel. This is a more expensive method because it requires careful planning and specialized equipment. Two other methods, surface gutters and cut and cover tunnels, are rarely used but may be an option in some areas.
Some developers and landlords prefer burying because it hides unsightly wires that could make the landscape less attractive. It also protects cables from wind damage and debris during extreme weather conditions. Flooding, however, can threaten underground cables if water enters the channel or tunnel in which the cables are housed. All burial methods require cables to eventually run above ground to power plants or switch boxes which must remain above ground so they can be easily accessed by technicians. This means that while extreme weather conditions won’t affect underground cables, they could still put services out of action.
Underground cables are also more expensive to install than above ground cables. Overhead cables are insulated from the air, while underground cables require layers of insulation. Thick insulation causes cables to retain heat, so underground cables must be thicker than those used above ground to reduce electrical resistance and the heat produced. Excavation and engineering costs also add to the overall landfill expense.
The environmental effect of landfill should also be considered. Digging trenches creates noise, dust and vibrations that can disturb surrounding wildlife. Excavation methods also destroy soil and vegetation that needs to be replaced.
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